Qatar boosts drone defenses ahead of FIFA World Cup
Several NATO nations will contribute personnel, hardware and technology to keep the soccer tournament safe from drones and other threats, while also building Qatar's own capabilities.
Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November and December, the first Arab nation to do so. It plans to welcome approximately 1.5 million fans, or nearly 50% of the country’s population, which will be both a logistical and safety challenge. Coordinating security from other countries is a vital part of staging the event, especially since the Gulf and the wider Middle East region have seen many drone attacks over the past year, as well as the usual threats of terrorism.
Doha is working to bolster its defense infrastructure while multiplying partnership agreements to secure additional help. This represents an opportunity not only to consolidate security ties with close allies but also to build new alliances. For World Cup security, Qatar has created a specific joint task force of Italian, French, British, American and Turkish security forces.
Looming threat: small drones
The largest risk is strikes from small, low-flying drones on the eight stadiums where games will be played. Drone technology has become more accessible and successfully weaponized by several non-state actors, including terrorist groups. Traditional counter-drone measures are not built to thwart cheaper, commercial unmanned aerial systems, and the crowded and public location of the stadiums is another complication.
